A method is provided for the prevention of balling of formation cuttings upon the surface of drilling equipment and for lubrication of said equipment used in conjunction with subterranean well operations. An aqueous system is prepared to which is added a composition of a water insoluble polyglycol having a molecular weight of from between about 1,200 and about 10,000, an emulsifying surfactant having a hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance of about 4 or more, and a hydrotrope. An additive for use in the method also is disclosed.